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5 tips to budget the right way…

I am a big time spender. I love to go shopping and just live life. One of my biggest struggles as an adult has been to learn how to budget my money.

Check out my previous post on how to shop on a budget.

Click Here

I have learned how to manage my money the right and easy way. I am going to share my tips and my struggles when it comes to budgeting. I hope that you are able to implement some of these tips to your budgeting. They are very simple and easy steps that anyone can follow.

1.Start by looking back at your most recent purchases.

When I started budgeting (and even now), I went back two months and took a good look at all my transactions. I made a list of everything and everywhere my money was spent. You will be surprised as to all the unnecessary transactions you make. I noticed that most of my money was going towards food or shopping and I was digging into my savings to cover for those unnecessary expenses.

This will help you see your expenses better.

2. List your expenses

After going through all my expenses from the previous months, I made a list of everything. I put them into categories such as food, bills, gas, savings, etc. I started eliminating all the unnecessary expenses. Such as my Ipsy bag, my Sephora box, Hulu (I kept Netflix). Even though they were small expenses, all together they made a significant impact each month without me realizing it. That’s why it’s so important to take a look at the previous months and add all the expenses and the damage they are actually making.

This gave me the big picture of what were the expenses I had to keep and how much of my money was used on those expenses and I could see how much I had left.

3. Name your money

I learned this one from Dave Ramsey (He is great, but I only agree with some of his suggestions when it comes to budgeting, he can be a little extreme). He says that you have to give every dollar a name. Know exactly where that dollar is going to end up.

To be honest, this is the best thing I have ever done. After step one and two, I then downloaded an app called Balance check. It’s so simple to use and you will keep track of every dollar. You input your income, and then add all your expenses and start checking them off as they’re paid. You can add a list of other things such as entertainment and shopping. With what I had left after paying all my fixed expenses, I added lines for entertainment, shopping, and savings. For example, I would limit myself to only $100 of shopping a month. I would then start subtracting all my shopping on the app and eventually know when I would run out of the $100. Knowing that I no longer had money to shop and I had to wait till the next month.

Find an app that works best for you. You can even use the Notes App and list all your monthly expenses on there. Make sure that you know where all your money is going.

At the end of the month, if you have some left over money, throw it in your savings.

4. Eliminate your credit cards

At the beginning of your budgeting cycle, you will not have money for the fun stuff such as shopping and a lot of entertainment. I say a lot because you shouldn’t live a miserable life. You should still be able to enjoy your life. But the main thing to do is to get rid of those credit cards. If you’re only sending the minimum amount every month, you’ll spend years trying to pay it off.

What you have to do is maybe put less into your savings and more into your credit card payment. What’s the point of having savings if you owe money? You basically don’t have money if that’s the case. Pay off those credit cards, that should be the main focus at this moment.

If there is something you really want and you cant buy it right at the moment because you don’t have the money, DONT use your credit card. Save up for it. Every pay check add $20, $40, $50, what ever you can to a fund you start on your own specifically for that item. Yes, it will take you a while to get there, but you will not be paying interest on it.

But don’t start a “fun Fund” as I like to call it, until you have a $0 balance on your credit cards. Also, always start off by paying the credit card with the smaller balance on it. Keep sending minimum amount to the other credit cards, and a larger amount to the Smaller amount credit card. You will start paying them off and this will motivate you to continue on to the next one. ( I really hope that you don’t have more than two credit cards, but if you do, it’s okay. I know you can do it).

Tip: Don’t carry your credit cards with you if you know you don’t have self control.

5. Keep track

Always keep track. Check your bank account daily. Just to make sure you’re on track. If you mess up one month, it’s okay. You can always start the next month.

Budgeting is not easy at all. It will take some time and a lot of discipline. Trust me, it has taken me months to finally be on track and sometimes I still get out of my lane. But I just start over and work on it again.

Little secret: If you get a raise… Pretend like you didn’t. Keep budgeting as if you are still on the previous wage. That way you can start adding that money into your savings. You will be surprised as too how much money you can actually save up.



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How to keep your Hair looking Fresh without washing it….

If you’re anything like me, you hate washing your hair. I know it sounds gross but I will show you the products and tricks that I use to make sure my hair stays looking and smelling fresh for days.

Day one: I like to start off by washing my hair with either the Not Your Mothers Shampoo or Aveda Cherry Almond. They both feel so clean and smell amazing.

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Before I brush through my hair, I make sure to apply the products. I like to use the NOT YOUR MOTHERS Frizz control Hair cream. This is what is going to help maintain your hair smooth for three days.

I make sure to use heat protectant all the time. I apply two different ones just on day one because I will be blow drying my hair and I will be straightening. I apply the Blow dry accelerator and trust me, it does make a difference. I also use the Not Your Mothers Heat Protectant.



On day one, I like to straighten my hair. It gives me more opportunity to be able to do some curls the next day as opposed to doing curls and not being able to straighten it next. It allows me to have more hairstyles without having to wash my hair.

I have two different straighteners. I have the CHI one which I’ve had for years. I also have the NUME. They are both amazing and I don’t have to go over each section multiple times. They both give a smooth finish immediately.

https://numeusa.com/curl-jam

Trick: Make sure to apply dry shampoo to your roots before you go to bed every night. This is what will help your hair stay fresh.

Day two: Start off by brushing out any tangles and smoothing out your hair. Add dry shampoo again. I like to use the dry shampoo from NOT YOUR MOTHERS (shocker). Make sure to apply some heat protectant as well. Day two will require some heat as well.

On day two I like to add some curls and volume to my hair.

Note: You can keep your hair straight because of the smoothing cream, your hair will be super smooth on day two as well.

I use my NUME wand or just a regular curling iron. I curl all my hair in big sections and tease a tiny bit at the roots.

https://numeusa.com/curl-jam



I set the curls with a hairspray. I use the Aveda medium hold. It doesn’t make my hair hard and it allows it to still have movement.

https://www.aveda.com/product/5386/17163/styling/hair-spray/brilliant-medium-hold-hair-spray#/shade/8.5_fl_oz%2F250_ml

Finally on Day three: I usually just throw my hair up in a high Pony tail or low bun. Depending on the OOTD. I make sure to add dry shampoo and some heat protectant for the fresh smell.

Remember: You need to find products that will work with your hair type. If you already have straight hair, then I wouldn’t recommend the smoothing cream, because that will just flatten out your hair and you will not have any volume in there.



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Timeline

Where you’re at now is where you need to be.

Since the beginning of our lives, we are placed into a timeline. We are expected to accomplish things at a very specific age.

We are expected to graduate on time, start college right away, get a job, get married before “it’s too late”, have kids right away. What I am trying to say is that we are expected to be at a certain point in our life based on a timeline set by this world.

The thing is— Our plan doesn’t always align with God’s plan. That’s when we feel left behind. We begin to notice those around us moving at a faster speed; achieving goal after goal, finishing college before us, getting engaged, getting married, and we can’t help it but wish we were there already.

But it doesn’t mean that they are ahead of you.

We try to reach the end without going through the process. We rush what needs patience.

Today I want you to think of all that you are instead of all that you’re not, because all that you are now is who you’re supposed to be in this season of your life.

When God gives you authority to move forward, you will become who you’re supposed to be then. Enjoy where God has you right now, because you wont be here for long.

“We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.” -Proverbs 16:9 MSG

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” -Proverbs 16: 9 NIV

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Walk of Shame

There is a story in the bible called “The parable of the Lost Son.” You can find this story in Luke 15:11-32.

This story is about a father and two sons. The younger one asked his father for his inheritance, but that is not what fascinates me the most about the story. What I find the most attractive is the way the father responds to every request from his son. I have divided the verse into sections to fully describe and understand the fathers side of this story.

The younger one said to his Father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ so he divided his property between them. -Luke 15:12 NIV

In that verse it doesn’t say anything about the father asking the son why he wanted this. It just says that the father divided his property between them. This reminds me of all the times we go to God and ask  him to do something, and without questions he does it. He doesn’t sit there and say “Well Daisy, why would you want me to do that? What makes you think I am going to do that?” I don’t know but I think sometimes God answers those absurd requests to give us a lesson. I can be wrong, but sometimes we need that little shake in our lives to understand that we are asking for the wrong things.

The verse then goes on saying;

Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there he squandered his wealth in wild living. -Luke 15:13

Just like us, he grabbed what was “his” and left to live the life he thought was going to make him happy. We often grab all the blessings that the lord hands us, and just walk away. We walk away from him, we walk away from his love, his support, his care, because now we have what we wanted.  Then just like this son, we go and lose all we have for a moment of satisfaction, for a moment of “living life”, for a moment of party, for a moment of what this world offers. What amazes me the most is that never in the story, does it say that the father tried to stop him. It never mentions that the father questioned him, or asked him where he was going. The father allowed him to walk away and God does the same. We are not captive under him, we have the freedom to make our choices.

A few verses down, after he had LOST everything he had, the bible tells us that the son realized what he had done.

When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father. -Luke 15:17-20

The son finally realized what he had done. He had given away all his blessings to this world. He had taken his father for granted and had lived the life he thought was best for him. He realized that living under his fathers household was better than living alone.

Time after time, we do the same. We go out into the world, full of strength provided by our father, we let his hand go and walk on our own. Until we discover that doing life on our own is not easy. It’s hard and its not rewarding.

In this verse we don’t know what the father was doing but in the next one, we will see the love and patience that this father had for his son.

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ -Luke15:20-21

I just have to say WOW!! When I read this part of the story I can just imagine this father, day after day, going outside his home just waiting to see if his son was coming back. I can picture him with his hands close to his chest, full of patience and full of love for his son. The verse says that he saw him and he was still a long way off. Then it says that the father ‘threw his arms around him,’ before the son even said a word.

I think that after a few minutes of sobbing and hugging the son was finally able to apologize. However, not once does the father question him. Doesn’t ask him why he left, what he did with all the money, why he was back. The father just took him back and forgave him.

If I was the father, I would have a million questions and I would just make him feel so bad for doing what he did.

But just like that father, God awaits for us with open arms. No questions, just forgiveness and compassion. Without even saying a word, he knows our hearts and forgives us the moment we come back to him. The moment we take that “walk of shame” back to his arms.

Instead of scolding the son and teaching him a lesson and saying “I told you so,” the Father has a celebration. Believe it or not, he celebrated his son coming back.

But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. -Luke 15:22-24

‘They began to celebrate.’ God celebrates the moment we walk back to him. No matter how many times we fail him, without questioning us, he takes our hearts back. That is the father we are blessed to have. We are blessed to have a father that shows us love, forgiveness and whole lot of patience.

He doesn’t need explanations, he doesn’t need an ‘I am sorry father’, he just needs for us to walk back to him. He is waiting with this abundant love for us, waiting for our return.

I know this story is a very well known story, but I think that most times we focus on the son and how he left and came back; but we don’t focus on the father and what he does. This story continues with the older sons reaction to the celebration. Which in most cases we fall into both categories. We are the son that leaves but we are also the son that stays. The fathers reaction to the older son is not very different, but that will be part of the next blog.

Love Always,

Daisy

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Life is a mess…

Recently I was having a conversation with a friend. We were talking about messes and how we felt about them. So thank you for inspiring me to write this. He said something that made me think of certain messes in our lives. He said he didn’t mind the mess but also didn’t mind cleaning and organizing after.

I personally like to paint, I’m not very good at it, but I enjoy it. I like to go into the kitchen and set up all my painting supplies there. I bring endless bottles of paint and brushes and lay them all on the table. I grab towels and napkins to wipe my brushes and start to paint. While I am painting, the mess doesn’t bother me, the paint on my hands just makes me feel like a talented artist.

But what happens when I finish painting and the cleaning begins? I start to get lazy and the mess seems to be bigger than what I started with. I start to throw my stuff back in the boxes not caring about the way they will fit. Sometimes, if I can get away with it, I just leave the mess there.

Then it made me realized how we are capable of making messes not only in our lives but in the lives of others! Then we clean up the mess without caring of the outcome or sometimes we don’t even clean it up. We leave it that way.

We walk into peoples lives, stir up a tornado and walk out without looking back.  We need to be more conscious of what we do or don’t do for others.  Sometimes I say things that I should not have said, but hardly ever do I go back and apologize.

The ability we have to change someone else’s life is extraordinary.

This world is full of hurting people. People that have gone through rough times. We can take a moment and offer our help. We can offer to help clean  the mess, and maybe in the process you’re able to clean some of your own messes.

We have to remember that little things make big changes

If you offend someone, go back and apologize. Take a minute to encourage someone. Learn to think before you act. Cause once you say something, you will never be able to take it back. If you have no future intentions with someone, don’t lead them into believe there will be. Be honest with people. Give and receive advise.

Messes are part of life. We can’t always avoid them, but we can try and fix them. We also need to understand that people will mess up and we will have to forgive.

Before you do anything, Always remember that a mess needs to be cleaned up!!!!

Blessings, Daisy

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A Dreamers Dream Pt 2

I just recently started writing about dreamers. I understood what they were going through and kind of knew what everything was about. But I wanted to go in a little more deep into it. I wanted to get answers and thoughts from Dreamers. After all, they are the ones who go through all of this and who have to live through it day after day.

In my last blog I talked about Alejandra. A Dreamers Dream Pt1 who is a college student and shared her story with me. I then created a post about her and shared her story with all of you.

This time I have another unique story about a young man, who came to the US as a child and who only knows this to be his home. Just like other dreamers, he wants to be able to live freely.

I have known this young man for many years. Seeing him grow up and become a servant at our church. He has amazing talents and he isn’t afraid to show them to the world. I not only get to see this from far but I get the opportunity to get to know a little more of him outside of church. He is always trying new things and is definitely not afraid to take risks. In my opinion, he is an entrepreneur and is never scared to fail.

This is true for all Dreamers, they take risks and are not afraid to go the extra mile to achieve their goals. They go day by day building staircase after staircase that will bring them to the top, they do it with all their heart and fight the biggest fight anyone can fight.

If something is important enough, even if the odds are against you, you should still do it. -Elon Musk

Please meet Tony. A twenty year old young man who was brought to this country at the age of two from Saltillo, Coahuila. Tony graduated from Atrisco Heritage Academy High School in 2016, and currently attends Central New Mexico Community College. His goal is to obtain his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and graduate by 2021. He currently works at Eat Streets Food Delivery and DirecTV Sales.

He strives to graduate from college, work in Tech, start a business and contribute to the community and the country in the most positive way possible.

Tony believes that being a Dreamer is “someone who has grown up their whole life in the United States. Most don’t remember the country they were born in because they were brought here at a very young age.”

  • What does it mean to be a Dreamer?

“Being a Dreamer is believing in your dreams even when you have all the odds stacked against you. Being undocumented is not easy and makes it harder to do things such as paying tuition, getting health insurance and many other things. For example, many scholarships for college are unavailable to undocumented students even if you have DACA, including FAFSA which makes paying for school a lot harder. A dreamer understands this and knows they will have to work even harder to achieve their dreams, but that is one of the best forms of encouragement and motivation to succeed.”

  • What are you hopes and dreams for ALL DREAMERS?

“My hope id that dreamers take every opportunity they could find to get an education, get into STEM/Healthcare jobs, start businesses and do their best for themselves and to show everyone why we should be given legalization for the good of the country.”

  • If you could sit and have a conversation with the people who are against the Dream Act, what would you tell them? WHY?

“I would tell them that the positives outweigh the negatives, for us staying in the country. Dreamers are not criminals, we pay taxes, and we contribute billions to the US economy. We are hardworking, intelligent and American grown individuals that want the best for this country. We want to stay here because this is the only place we know.”

  • What are the changes you would like to see in the future regarding this issue?

“A clean Dream Act that works as a permanent solution, and pathway to citizenship. Also, including protection for parent of Dreamers. We have always been used as a pawn by the democrats and the republicans for them politically. Democrats always run on the promise to pass legalization while republicans use us as a bargaining chip for border walls, and more deportations.”

Just for a minute, imagine waking up and living the life that Dreamer’s have to live. They live in fear of being separated from their families, in fear of seeing everything that they have worked for just taken away from them. Your whole life being stripped away from you and leaving you alone and with nothing.

It’s not an easy thought, but I believe that there will come a day when they will get to live a free life. A life that they came in search for, that WE ALL WANT, will be given to them.

After years of limbo, and fear of deportation, I do not have much faith in the government to solve this problem soon, but I do have faith in God and his plan for me is much greater than this situation. There’s always a plan for everything and I pray that he works in the hearts of every person who is against Dreamers, and that they forget about the politics of left and right in this issue, and see the humanity of it.

Thank You Tony for sharing this alongside with other Dreamers. 

This will include several parts where I will be sharing the story of different Dreamers. If you read this, and would like to share your story, please comment below and I will reach out to you! I am already working on the next one and I just want to say that this means a lot to me. It was placed in my heart a long time ago, and I have been working on it for a while. I want to make it as real as possible and with as much love and truthfulness as I can give.

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A Dreamers Dream Pt1

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Who is a Dreamer?

Well google defines it as ” individuals in the U.S. who were brought to the country at an early age without documentation but have assimilated to U.S. culture and have been educated by U.S. school systems.”

And yes that’s a valid definition, but there’s more to it.

DACA is the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program– It defers deportation for two years for qualified individuals who were brought to the U.S. when they were children.

There are roughly 1.8 million immigrants in the United States. As of right now about 798,980 people have been approved for DACA. But obtaining DACA is not an easy process

I was brought to the U.S. when I was only three. I was very blessed to have been able to get my legal status very soon after I got here, and now I am able to say I am a U.S. citizen. I am lucky enough to have that piece of paper that says I “belong” here, but what about those DREAMer’s who don’t have that piece of paper

What are their fears? What does it mean for them to be a Dreamer?

I wanted to write this because I think that a lot of people don’t understand what it’s like to wake up not knowing what will happen. I wanted to write something REAL, something that is actually happening, something that  people have to go through every day. And what better way than to get actual answers and stories from DREAMERS!!!!

I want people to see a different perspective. I want to be able to share the stories of some wonderful people who live this every single day. They are extraordinary, intelligent, hardworking men and women who belong in the U.S. And their stories should be known!!

We all came here to better ourselves, to get an education, to live a free life, but is it really Freedom? Let’s see what these Dreamers have to say about it.

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I asked a very talented and intelligent  Dreamer some questions and her thoughts about this. And while I was reading through her answers, I couldn’t help but tear up. This is just one person, there so many other young people who live with fear.

Imagine waking up and not being sure what could happen with your life, with everything and everyone you know just taken away from you.

This young girl allowed me to use her name. So please meet, Alejandra. I have known Alejandra since she was just a little girl. We met her family at our church and It’s an honor for me to be able to share her story.

Alejandra is just 20 years old, she has been in the U.S. for 18 years. That’s her whole life. She is from Chihuahua, Mexico.

Alejandra graduated from Rio Rancho High School in 2016 and  is currently a student at the University of New Mexico. She is a junior, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Spanish and in the pre-med program. She will graduate in 2020 and is planning on applying to medical school.  Not only does she go to school full-time, but she also volunteers at a local hospital.

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Five months ago her goals were to graduate from undergrad and continue on to Medical school. Even though that is still part of it (still can’t decide whether she wants to do OBGYN or family practice), she now has added the goal to continue to be a voice for her community by fighting for a clean DREAM ACT.

Her fears are having to say Goodbye to her family. Having to say goodbye to New Mexico because of deportation. “My parents broke their backs for what they have and to help me go to college. I’m scared that all that will go down the drain in a second. Although my roots are in Mexico, this is the only place I have known, THIS IS HOME.”

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Alejandra wants to be able to focus on reaching her goals in education and career. She wants this for ALL Dreamers. She wants permanent protection from deportation. Along with other Dreamers, she wants to be able to give back to the community. “We aren’t asking for special treatment. We are asking for the same opportunity to dream and work towards reaching those dreams like so many generations did before us.”

  • In your own words, who is a Dreamer? “They are the ones who have established their life and family here in the U.S. or are starting to establish their life. Meaning Dreamers are our neighbors, educators, coworkers, contractors and students. But they are mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters. They are not statistics but a life who has risked it all to come to a foreign place to better their life or the life of their children. Our parents are the original Dreamers.”  
  • What does it mean to be a Dreamer?“Being a Dreamer (under Trump administration) means living in FEAR, not just for us individuals but for our families. Being a Dreamer means living in limbo, “should we continue our path to accomplish our goals or should we hold off until we have the protection against deportation.” To be a Dreamer means to be a fighter, for your future, for your family, and for your dreams.”
  • If you could sit and have a conversation with the people who are against the Dream Act, what would you tell them? Why?“I would explain to them, First, We are not criminals, we have to keep a clean record to qualify for Daca and the Dream Act. Second, We don’t get help from the government and we don’t go around using tax payer money. Third, We are going to school or working, some of us are even joining the military. We aren’t just staying home or getting into trouble. Fourth, just let them know my story. I think it is so easy for people to get caught up on the statistics we hear on the news and forget that we are all here for a reason, to better our life and some of us because we are fleeing violence in our country. We aren’t as horrible as the Trump administration and the news makes us out to be.”

Alejandra would like a Dream Act for the million immigrant youth in the U.S. She wants to be able to have peace, while going to school or work. “Also a chance to help our parents, the original Dreamers.” Just like so many other Dreamers, Alejandra lives in fear. She has questioned whether to continue her life the way it is because she doesn’t have a life in the U.S. guaranteed. She has to go to school in fear that she might not go back home and see her parents.

She calls this her home. Because it is. Because this is where she belongs. Because this is her life!

I admire Alejandra for her dedication. She not only fights for her rights, but for the rights of so many people. She isn’t afraid to stand for what she believes. And despite everything that is against her, she moves forward and keeps creating goals for her life. She keeps building stairs that will one day take her to the top. I believe in her and every other Dreamer.

I believe in a God of possibilities, and if we all stand together, this will be the Victory!

“I know our community has done so much by supporting us and our families. It is a tough time but we started this fight together and we will finish together, except we will come out of this in victory. I wouldn’t change anything because some of us need to hear this from someone who has gone through it and God has allowed me to go through all the ups and downs so I can stand here as a witness of my own testimony. This is only the Beginning, keep fighting but when you feel weak don’t be afraid to ask for help.” -Alejandra

Thank you, Alejandra! Thanks for your answers, your story and your support. Thank you for standing side by side with everyone who believes in this.

This will include several parts where I will be sharing the story of different Dreamers. If you read this, and would like to share your story, please comment below and I will reach out to you! I am already working on the next one and I just want to say that this means a lot to me. It was placed in my heart a long time ago, and I have been working on it for a while. I want to make it as real as possible and with as much love and truthfulness as I can give.

Below are LINKS about immigration and DACA: ⇓

USCIS.gov/ DACA Guidelines

Blog with Immigration Facts

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Disclosure: I did most of the research online, and I don’t guarantee that all numbers are correct.

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Thanks…

We all know the history of why we celebrate Thanksgiving. It’s a day we give thanks for everything, we spend time with family, some travel, but mostly we all seem to enjoy it. To some it’s a time for a vacation and some don’t care and want to work that day. But why stop there? Why should we only give thanks one day out of the year? Why should we only give thanks for the things that make us happy?

Why can’t we be thankful for all those moments when we weren’t at our best? Well, today as Thanksgiving is approaching, I just want to say thanks for all those things that didn’t make me happy, but make me who I am today.

I am extremely thankful for the friends that I have. For every single person that sticks by my side. I am also thankful for the friends that are now strangers. I am thankful that they were part of my life at some point. I am thankful because even though we’re not friends now, we were and at that moment it meant everything to me.

I am thankful for those first dates that never made it to a second date. Why? Because I learned that it wasn’t my fault or the other persons fault that it didn’t work out, it just wasn’t our time. It just wasn’t meant to be and I am very thankful we realized it before we invested time and effort into something that was broken from the start.

I am thankful for all those missed opportunities, because I learned what I was afraid of and that helped me create a way to face my fears. I am thankful for all those mistakes I have made because I have been able to grow from them.

And it’s easier said than done at the moment. It’s hard to be thankful for those hardships. All we want to be is angry when we find out a loved one has cancer, or when God takes that person from us. We want to cry and give up, but the thing is that we need to learn to trust Gods actions. We need to be thankful for every season and every obstacle because those are the battles we are fighting to win it all at the end.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

I am completely guilty of complaining and thinking the world is going to end when something doesn’t go my way. It’s difficult to feel thankful in life when something so important isn’t going the way it should be.

But this time around, I am going to try to focus and be thankful for even those sleepless nights when all I do is lay on my bed and think of all those things that could have been that will no longer be.

I am going to be thankful because those are the moments when I am weak and God shows me how strong he is. That even though my world may seem like it’s crumbling, he is holding every piece of it and waiting for me to recover to help me put it back together.

Because he is the one we should always be thankful for, he is the one that can make all things possible, he is the one who can change the toughest situations into the most incredible miracles.

And the moment that we forget who he is and how strong and capable he is, thats the moment we lose ourselves.

I don’t ever want to forget that he is capable of moving mountains for me, that he loves me so much that he died for me, So that I could be forgiven every time. Therefore, I am thankful for every hardship and every blessing. Because everything that happens in your life is for a reason!

Happy Thanksgiving!

daisyjortizLeave a comment

Slow-Down, Baby!

I am sure that many of us can agree that this world is crazy. We live a fast-paced life. Everyday seems as though we have to go a little faster to stay on track. That’s totally understandable, but I feel that as the days go by, I lose myself in all those tasks I need to do.

I usually live everyday trying to complete something, and of course that should be a focus. You should be determined and do what you have to do. However, in the midst of all the chaos, we forget what life is really about. We forget to value the little things.

I believe in weekly routines. I like everyday to be the same. I know that sounds boring, but I just enjoy that structure. The thing is, that I get too focused on my routines that I forget to appreciate the value of everything else. I forget to slow-down and be thankful for what I have. I forget to take a look around and admire all the beauty of this world, despite the horrific things that happen every single day.

One day as I was driving to work, I stopped at a red light, and for a split second looked straight ahead and took a quick glance at our beautiful mountains. Those mountains are there every single day that I drive to work, but I don’t alway notice them because I am too busy with my routine and because it’s what I am used to seeing. At that moment, I couldn’t believe how fortunate I was to have such a precious view and that I never took the time to admire those things.

 

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Sandia Mountains- ALBUQUERQUE, NM/ Taken outside my workplace.

 

I decided that I wanted to change that. I want to be able to notice those little things in life that are there and we just take for granted. I wondered if those mountains were ever removed (which they won’t) if i would even notice that they weren’t there anymore.

What I am trying to say and summarize is that we should take a moment every day just to say thank you for all that we have. Take a minute from starring at your phone and look up while you’re walking down the street, and smile at someone. That little gesture can mean so much to that person and it took nothing out of you. In fact it will make you feel better. Say thanks to your mom for cooking that delicious meal. Take some time to read a good book and sit outside somewhere. Play with your pets and enjoy every minute of the people around you.

I know that it wont be easy, because we are so used to being connected through our phones. Sometimes it’s hard to have a conversation with someone in person because we are no longer used to it. It will take some time, but I challenge you to try to do something different in your daily routine. Just try to enjoy every single little thing and try to notice the things that you don’t realize are there because we are so used to them.

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daisyjortizLeave a comment
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